Plow blade lift frame and method of using same

ABSTRACT

There is provided a snow plow lift frame for use on the front of a motor vehicle wherein the lift frame is provided with mounting arrangements for energy absorbing devices or units to be secured onto a bumper which is in turn attached to the plow blade lift frame.

United States Patent 1191 Miceli Aug. 13, 1974 PLOW BLADE LIFT FRAME AND METHOD 2,959,251 7 11/1960 Landman et a1 293/010. 2 OF USING SAME 2,999,697 9/1961 Winget 37/50 X 3,005,511 10/1961 Riedy 37/42 R X [75] Inventor: Marc L- Mice i, C e e o 3,214,138 10/1965 Jocher ct a1. 37/42 R 3,238,647 3/1966 Hall et a1. 37/42 X [73] Assignee. Meyer Products, Inc., Cleveland, 3,252,716 5,1966 Gaterman 37/42 R 3,706,144 12 1972 Miceli 37/50 22 Fi Dec. 27 1972 3,715,139 2/1973 Tuggle 293/85 X [21] Appl 318897 Primary ExaminerRobert E. Pulfrey Assistant Examiner-E. H. Eickholt 52] US. Cl. 37/41, 293/70 Attorney, g or i my Tilberry, & B y [51] Int. Cl. Elh /00, Br 19/00 1 [58] Field of Search 37/41, 42 R, 42 VL, 50; 57] ABSTRACT 172/801 805; 293/ 2 There is provided a snow plow lift frame for use on v [56] References Cited the front of a motor vehicle wherein the lift frame is provided with mounting arrangements for energy ab- UNITED STATES PATENTS sorbing devices or units to be secured onto a bumper 1,373,822 4/1921 Kleine 293/D1G. 2 which is in turn attached to the plow blade lift frame. 2,508,836 5/1950 M0rris..... 293/D1G. 2 2 775 330 1 1957 4 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures Kenyon 37/42 R Pmmm nus 1 31914 SHEET 3 BF 5 FIG. 4

PATENTED M19 I 3!!! SHEET 5 [1F 5 PLOW BLADE LIFT FRAME AND METHOD OF USING SAME This invention relates to the art of lifting devices for plow blades and more particularly to a plow blade lift frame and a methodof using the same.

The invention is particularly applicable for mounting a snow plow onto the front of a relatively small vehicle, such as a Jeep or pick-up truck, and it will be described with particular reference thereto; however, it is appreciated that theinvention has broader applications and may be used for mounting various types of blades onto the front of a motor vehicle.

It has become common practice to mount snow plow blades onto the front of a small vehicle, such as a pickup truck, for the purpose of removing snow from a roadway. To increase the convenience of using the ve hicle mounted plow blade, hydraulic lift units are mounted onto the front of the vehicle for selectively raising the blade into an inoperative position. With the adoption of these hydraulic lift units, special lift mounting frames have been used between the vehicle chassis and bumper. These frames generally include a lower member for supporting the hydraulic lift unit and an upper pivoting arm secured to the ram of the lift unit. As the ram is extended, the upper arm is pivoted in an upward direction to pull the blade upwardly. When the ram is retracted, the arm is pivoted in a downward direction so that the blade can be lowered by gravity into its operative position. The lift unit mounting frame is assembled onto the vehicle chassis at the position allocated for the vehicle bumper, and the bumper is secured onto the lift frame forward of its normal position.

In recent years, automobiles have been provided with energy absorbing bumper arrangements so that the bumper can absorb energy caused by relatively low speed impact. This type of arrangement is not now required for pick-up trucks and related small vehicles, such as Jeeps. The use of such devices would appear to be impractical, if not impossible, for use with front mounted accessories, such as a plow blade. However, the energy absorbing bumper arrangements reduce the amount of damage caused by low velocity impact. Consequently, such bumpers could be very beneficial for use on vehicles of the type using snow plows of the variety discussed above. The present invention relates to a mounting arrangement for the snow plow which can be used with a pick-up truck having an energy absorbing bumper. In accordance with the invention, the snow plow lifting frame can also be used as a device for providing an energy absorbing bumper for a pick-up truck which is not originally provided with such a bumper. By using the present invention, the advantages of a low velocity, energy absorbing bumper system can be utilized at the same time as a snow plow lifting device of the type presently used.

In acccordance with the present invention, there is provided an improvement in a frame for mounting a snow plow lifting device of the type described above, which improvement includes a bumper support means on the lift mounting frame which support means includes a plate having a surface extending in a generally vertical plane and an opening therethrough, and an energy absorbing device having a ram connected to the bumper, a cylinder extending through the opening, and a mounting element affixed to the cylinder. Also,

means are provided for releasably securing the mounting element onto the aforementioned plate.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an improvement in a plow blade mounting frame of the type described above which improvement comprises a transversely extending member having an opening aligned with each position occupied by an energy absorbing cylinder secured to the chassis of a vehicle with the openings being dimensioned greater than the dimension of the energy absorbing device and means on the aforesaid member for securing the energy absorbing cylinder onto the member after being removed from its original position on the chassis of the vehicle.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of mounting a snow blade lift unit onto the front of a vehicle of the type having energy absorbing devices releasably secured onto the chassis thereof. This method includes the steps of removing the energy absorbing devices from the chassis, mounting the snow plow lift frame onto the chassis, mounting the energy absorbing devices onto the lift frame and mounting a snow blade lift onto the frame.

The primary object of the present invention is the provision of an improved plow blade lift frame, which frame may be used on a truck or other vehicle having an energy absorbing bumper system.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved plow blade lift frame, which frame can be used to provide a vehicle bumper with a set of energy absorbing devices.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a method of mounting a plow blade lift onto a vehicle, which method can be used to provide an energy absorbing bumper system for the vehicle.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial, enlarged view illustrating an energy, absorbing device of the type to which the present invention is directed;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view illustrating one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view illustrating a characteristic of the invention as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing a further modification of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a view showing another function of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view showing still a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is an enlarged, partial view taken generally along line SA-SA of FIG. 5; and,

FIG. 6 is a partial exploded view showing an additional function of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention only, and not for the purpose of limiting same, FIG. 1 shows a somewhat standard energy absorbing arrangement for a motor vehicle. In accordance-with this disclosure, a standard bumper A is secured onto a vehicle chassis 10 by an intermediate energy absorbing unit B. Of course, one energy absorbing device is positioned at each end of the bumper A. Each of these energy absorbing units includes an outwardly extending ram 20 received within an elongated cylinder '22 supported by a flange 24 and bolts 26 onto the end plate 11 of the chassis 10. A bracket 30 carried by ram 20 forms a joint between the ram and the bumper. Ram 20 remains in the extended position, as shown, until the bumper collides with an obstacle. At that time, ram 20 is forced backwardly into cylinder 22 in a manner similar to a shock absorber. This type of energy absorbing unit for bumpers is designed to protect a vehicle against impacts at low speeds, such as speeds below about mph. Various types of these energy absorbing devices are nowon the market and are used extensively in automobiles. They are not now used for pick-up trucks and other small commercial type vehicles such as Jeeps and similar multiple purpose vehicles which use front mounted accessories.

Referring now to FIG. 2, one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated wherein a small vehicle or truck C is provided with a snow plow D. The present invention relates to the mounting arrangement for the lift device used in controlling the vertical disposition of snow plow D with respect to the front of truck C. Truck C includes chassis elements 10, 12 corresponding essentially to the chassis of FIG. 1. The mounting of snow plow blade D will be described in detail; however, this description is only representative in nature and various other standard arrangements could be used for mounting the blade for upward pivoted movement on the front of the vehicle and for angular adjustments with respect to the front of the vehicle. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment the blade D is provided with rear pivot trunions 40, 42. Springs 44, only one of which is shown, hold the blade in an upright position. When the blade engages an obstacle, it pivots around trunions 40, 42 against the action of springs 44. The angular position of the blade is adjusted by a swinging movement around a center pin 46. The angular position is fixed by an appropriate lock 48, constructed in accordance with normal practice. The pin and lock are supported upon a standard A frame having rearwardly extending pivot arms 52, 54 which coact with trunions 56, 58 on a cross brace 60 secured onto chassis elements 10, 12 by supports 62, 64.

The snow plow lift mechanism is supported by a body frame 70 which includes a horizontal, transversely extending cross beam 72 mounted by plates 74, 76 onto the chassis members l0, 12. Of course, plates 74, 76 could be secured onto the end plate 11 in the same holes as bolts 26, if a central opening were provided to allow for clearance of a cylinder 22 of the energy absorbing units B. Extending upwardly from beam 72 is a U-shaped vertically extending element 80 welded onto the beam and carrying a cross bar 82. A snow plow lift unit 90 which generally includes a cylinder, a ram, gear pump, reservoir and an appropriate valve is schematically illustrated as including a cylinder 92 and a controllable ram 94. The lift unit is secured onto frame 70 by a mounting bracket 100 which allows pivoted movement of lift unit 90. The upper end of ram 94 includes a trunion member 102 received within an arm I10 pivotally mounted at trunion 112 on U-shaped element 80. A chain 114 on the outer end of the operating arm raises the blade D when arm 110 is moved upwardly by protraction of ram 94 from cylinder 92. The axes a, b, are the original axes of the energy absorbing units B as they existed as original equipment on the truck C. The beam 72 includes openings 120, 122 which surround the axes a, b, and are large enough to receive the cylinders 22 of units B. The holes 124 are positioned in the same pattern as the holes into which bolts 26 extend. Consequently, the flanges 24 of the energy absorbing units B can be secured onto the cross beam 72 by the same bolts 26. In this manner, the bumper A is secured onto the lift mounting'frame in a position forward of its original position and in a manner to provide clearance and support for the lift unit 90. Thus, the lift unit can be provided on the front of truck C without requiring that the truck remove its bumper energy absorbing system. After the energy absorbing units B are mounted as shown in FIG. 2, the bumper A functions as an energy absorbing bumper in the same manner that it would function were it secured directly onto the frame. Consequently, in accordance with the present invention, the lifting unit 90 can be attached onto the front of a truck which includes energy absorbing bumper mounting devices similar to those now provided on automobiles.

Referring now to FIG. 3, only a small portion of the mounting frame 70 is illustrated. In accordance with this aspect of the disclosed embodiment of the invention, the beam 72 of frame 70 can be provided with bumper brackets 130, 132 which are supported over the openings 122, 124. Bumper A is then bolted directly onto the brackets without intermediate energy absorbing devices B being used. In this manner, mounting frame 70 can be used when energy absorbing devices B are optional original equipment for truck C. If no energy absorbing device is used, the bumper can be installed as shown in FIG. 3. If the energy absorbing devices are used, the bumper is mounted as shown in FIG. 2.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 4 wherein chassis includes holes 142, 144 for originally mounting energy absorbing units B by appropriately arranged holes 146. The lift unit mounting frame includes a transverse member or beam having support plates 151 for securing the mounting frame onto the chassis 140. A U-shaped element 152 extends upwardly from beam 150 so that the lower lift mounting trunnion 154 can coact with an arm pivotally secured onto trunnion 156 to perform the blade lifting system, as previously described. This beam 150 ineludes openings 160, 162 aligned with openings 142, 144 of chassis 140 and surrounding the axes a, b which are the original axes for the energy absorbing devices when they were mounted directly onto chassis 140. Holes 164 correspond to holes 146 so that the energy absorbing units can be mounted directly onto the cross beam 150 with the cylinder 22 extending through the two openings and into the space originally used for the energy absorbing units on the vehicle. If the lift mounting frame shown in FIG. 4 is to be used without energy absorbing units B, brackets 170, 172, shown in FIG. 4A, can be secured onto the bumper A. These brackets have holes which align with holes 164 to mount the bumper directly into the cross beam 150. This arrangement is similar to that shown in FIG. 3 for the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 5A, the energy absorbing units B may be mounted adjacent the outside of the chassis, as shown in FIG. 5. In this illustrated embodiment, the vehicle chassis includes members 180, 182 joined by a cross member 184. Plates 190, 192 secure the energy absorbing units B with respect to the chassis during original assembly of the truck. Of course, the

plates have clearance openings 194 to accommodate the cylinder 22. Lift mounting frame 200 is a welded structure including terminal channels 202, 204 that are generally orthogonal to axes a, 1;. Transverse beam 206, between the channels 202, 204, supports an upwardly extending, U-shaped member 208. The lower lift mounting trunnion 210 and the upper arm pivoting trunnion 212 perform the function as similar elements in the other embodiments. The mounting frame 200 is secured onto the chassis by rearwardly extending sets of support brackets 220, 222. This is best shown in FIG. 5A. The solid line disclosure of this figure represents the original equipment arrangement without a lift frame 200. The phantom line illustrates the extension of bumper A after the lift frame 200 has been assembled in place as best illustrated in FIG. 5. Channels 202, 204 are provided with openings 224, 226 which allow insertion of the energy absorbing units B onto the frame 200 after the frame has been secured onto chassis elements 180, 182. This embodiment of the invention operates in the same manner as the previously discussed embodiments of the present invention. Of course, brackets could be secured onto the channels 202, 204 when an energy absorbing unit is not to be disposed between the bumper and the lift unit mounting frame.

Another aspect of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 6. In some instances, it may be desirable to provide energy absorbing units B for vehicles which do not have such units as original equipment. In that instance, the chassis 230 having a cross beam 232 can support a lift unit mounting frame including a cross beam 232 and an upwardly extending, U-shaped element shown partially as member 242. Brackets 250, 252 support the lift mounting frame onto the chassis member 230. An opening 260 is provided to receive the energy absorbing unit B, which is secured in place onto the cross beam 240 by bolts through holes 262. The bumper A is secured to the energy absorbing unit by bracket 30, as previously described. In this embodiment, the energy absorbing unit is applied to the vehicle when the vehicle itself was not originally provided with this type of structure. This could be used in converting older trucks to an energy absorbing mode of operation with a minimum of structural changes.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a lift frame for mounting a plow blade lifting device onto the front of a vehicle, said lift frame including a front facing away from said vehicle, a generally hori-. zontal support base, a mounting element extending upwardly from said base, a blade lifting arm having a first end pivotally mounted to said mounting element at a point above said support base and a second end adapted to be connected to a plow blade whereby said blade is lifted when said arm is pivoted upwardly, bracket means fixed with respect to and adjacent said horizontal support base for supporting a hydraulic ram lift unit, said lift unit having an outwardly extendible hydraulically controlled ram, bracket means for securing said ram of said lift unit onto said lifting arm whereby said lifting arm can be selectively pivoted by movement of said lifting ram, means for securing said lift frame onto the front of said vehicle and means for supporting a vehicle bumper onto the front of said lift frame whereby said lift frame spaces said bumper outwardly from said vehicle, the improvement comprising: said horizontal support base including a surface extending in a generally vertical plane, and an opening therethrough, and said bumper support means includes an energy absorbing device having a ram connected to said bumper, a cylinder extending through said opening, a mounting plate affixed to said cylinder, and means for releasably securing said mounting plate onto said support base with said cylinder extending through said opening whereby said bumper is secured onto said lift frame by said energy absorbing device at a position spaced outwardly from said lift frame in a direction opposite to said vehicle.

2. In a lift frame for mounting a plow blade lifting device onto the front of a vehicle, said lift frame including a front facing away from said vehicle, a generally horizontal support base, a mounting element extending upwardly from said base, a blade lifting arm having a first end pivotally mounted to said element at a point above said support base and a second end adapted to be connected to a plow blade whereby said blade is lifted when said arm is pivoted upwardly, bracket means fixed with respect to and adjacent said horizontal support base for supporting a hydraulic ram lift unit, said lift unit having an outwardly extendible hydraulically controlled ram, bracket means for securing said ram of said lift unit onto said lifting arm wherein said lifting arm can be selectively pivoted by movement of said lifting ram, means for securing said lift frame onto the front of said vehicle and means for supporting a vehicle bumper onto the front of said lift frame whereby said lift frame spaces said bumper outwardly from said vehicle, the improvement comprising: said support means including first and second transversely spaced mounting structures, each of said mounting structures including a plate having a surface extending in a generally vertical plane, and an opening therethrough, and two energy absorbing devices each having a ram connected to said bumper, a cylinder extending through one of said openings, and a mounting flange affixed to said cylinder, and means for releasably securing said mounting flange onto said plate with said bumper spaced from said lift frame on the side of said lift frame opposite to said vehicle.

3. A plow blade mounting frame for a vehicle having a chassis and first and second energy absorbing devices releasably secured onto said chassis at transversely spaced positions, each of said energy absorbing devices comprising an elongated cylinder having a given elongated axis, an outside dimension and a mounting flange and a ram extending outwardly of said vehicle on said given axis and means on said chassis for releasably securing said flanges onto said chassis with said cylinders extending horizontally with said given axes having set -locations, said plow blade mounting frame comprising a transversely extending member having an opening aligned with each of said set locations and with a dimension greater than said outside dimension of said cylinders and means on said member for securing said flanges onto said member with said cylinders extending through said openings.

4. A method of mounting a plow blade lift onto the front of a vehicle having a chassis and first and second energy absorbing devices releasably secured onto said chassis at transversely spaced positions, each of said energy absorbing devices comprising an elongated cylinder and a ram secured onto a vehicle bumper and extending outwardly of said vehicle and means on said cylinder for releasably securing said flangesonto said chassis with said cylinders extending horizontally, said method comprises the steps of: c. mounting said energy absorbing devices onto said a. removing saidenergy absorbing devices from said lift frame; and,

chassis; d. mounting a snow plow lift onto said frame. b. mounting a snow plow lift frame onto said chassis; 

1. In a lift frame for mounting a plow blade lifting device onto the front of a vehicle, said lift frame including a front facing away from said vehicle, a generally horizontal support base, a mounting element extending upwardly from said base, a blade lifting arm having a first end pivotally mounted to said mounting element at a point above said support base and a second end adapted to be connected to a plow blade whereby said blade is lifted when said arm is pivoted upwardly, bracket means fixed with respect to and adjacent said horizontal support base for supporting a hydraulic ram lift unit, said lift unit having an outwardly extendible hydraulically controlled ram, bracket means for securing said ram of said lift unit onto said lifting arm whereby said lifting arm can be selectively pivoted by movement of said lifting ram, means for securing said lift frame onto the front of said vehicle and means for supporting a vehicle bumper onto the front of said lift frame whereby said lift frame spaces said bumper outwardly from said vehicle, the improvement comprising: said horizontal support base including a surface extending in a generally vertical plane, and an opening therethrough, and said bumper support means includes an energy absorbing device having a ram connected to said bumper, a cylinder extending through said opening, a mounting plate affixed to said cylinder, and means for releasably securing said mounting plate onto said support base with said cylinder extending through said opening whereby said bumper is secured onto said lift frame by said energy absorbing device at a position spaced outwardly from said lift frame in a direction opposite to said vehicle.
 2. In a lift frame for mounting a plow blade lifting device onto the front of a vehicle, said lift frame including a front facing away from said vehicle, a generally horizontal support base, a mounting element extending upwardly from said base, a blade lifting arm having a first end pivotally mounted to said element at a point above said support base and a second end adapted to be connected to a plow blade whereby said blade is lifted when said arm is pivoted upwardly, bracket means fixed with respect to and adjacent said horizontal support base for supporting a hydraulic ram lift unit, said lift unit having an outwardly extendible hydraulically controlled ram, bracket means for securing said ram of said lift unit onto said lifting arm wherein said lifting arm can be selectively pivoted by movement of said lifting ram, means for securing said lift frame onto the front of said vehicle and means for supporting a vehicle bumper onto the front of said lift frame whereby said lift frame spaces said bumper outwardly from said vehicle, The improvement comprising: said support means including first and second transversely spaced mounting structures, each of said mounting structures including a plate having a surface extending in a generally vertical plane, and an opening therethrough, and two energy absorbing devices each having a ram connected to said bumper, a cylinder extending through one of said openings, and a mounting flange affixed to said cylinder, and means for releasably securing said mounting flange onto said plate with said bumper spaced from said lift frame on the side of said lift frame opposite to said vehicle.
 3. A plow blade mounting frame for a vehicle having a chassis and first and second energy absorbing devices releasably secured onto said chassis at transversely spaced positions, each of said energy absorbing devices comprising an elongated cylinder having a given elongated axis, an outside dimension and a mounting flange and a ram extending outwardly of said vehicle on said given axis and means on said chassis for releasably securing said flanges onto said chassis with said cylinders extending horizontally with said given axes having set locations, said plow blade mounting frame comprising a transversely extending member having an opening aligned with each of said set locations and with a dimension greater than said outside dimension of said cylinders and means on said member for securing said flanges onto said member with said cylinders extending through said openings.
 4. A method of mounting a plow blade lift onto the front of a vehicle having a chassis and first and second energy absorbing devices releasably secured onto said chassis at transversely spaced positions, each of said energy absorbing devices comprising an elongated cylinder and a ram secured onto a vehicle bumper and extending outwardly of said vehicle and means on said cylinder for releasably securing said flanges onto said chassis with said cylinders extending horizontally, said method comprises the steps of: a. removing said energy absorbing devices from said chassis; b. mounting a snow plow lift frame onto said chassis; c. mounting said energy absorbing devices onto said lift frame; and, d. mounting a snow plow lift onto said frame. 